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French spells out the way forward for BHETA merger

BHETA chief executive David French believes there is a way to resolve the structural difficulty impeding the association's proposed merger with the British Jewellery Giftware and Finishing Federation (BJGFF). 
19 January 2010

John Lewis voted Britain's favourite...again

Department store voted the nation's top retailer for the third consecutive year in a survey of 6,000 people. 
19 January 2010

Debenhams launches divorce gift list

Department store today unveils gift list for separating couples to include household staples and non-iron shirts. 
18 January 2010

Garden Centre Group to close Shiplake Nursery

After months of speculation, it is confirmed that the Henley-based garden centre has been sold to an unnamed buyer and will close at the end of the month. 
18 January 2010

More businesses in critical financial state but retail sector sees improvement

More than 140,000 companies reported financial difficulties at the end of last year, while retail businesses experienced a 32% decline in 'critical actions. 
18 January 2010

Kitchen appliance sector set for 'mini boom'

Consumers' postponement of replacement appliances due to the recession will lead to a surge in sales over the next five years, with the market set to reach £572m by 2014. 
15 January 2010

BHETA members debate federation plan

Plans for the British Home Enhancement Trade Association to join the British Jewellery, Gift and Finishing Federation as a full member still have some way to go, members learned at a BHETA members meeting in Birmingham on January 14. 
15 January 2010

Verdict names B&Q best DIY retailer

Verdict Research has published the results of a poll of 6,000 consumers. The results show B&Q is more highly regarded than any of its competitors. 
15 January 2010

Central London retail sees best December in seven years

Retail sales in the capital up 12% like-for-like on December 2008, with big-ticket items selling well in clearance. 
15 January 2010

Home Retail Group reports solid interims

Home Retail Group, parent company of both Homebase and Argos reported its interim figures for the 18 weeks to January 2 this morning, with both retail chains showing an increase in sales...just. 
14 January 2010

Gardenex extends support to Glee as well as Garden Expo

UK export federation signs non-exclusive deal with Glee after a number of its members expressed a continued interest in the Birmingham-based show. 
14 January 2010

Debenhams Q1 trading ‘relatively muted’

Like-for-like sales up 0.1% at department store chain, while gross margin is ahead of target. 
13 January 2010

Obituary: Mike Dent

It is with great regret that Mykal has announced the death of its chairman, Mike Dent, who passed away peacefully on Wednesday January 6 at the age of 73. 
13 January 2010

Consumer confidence returning says Topps Tiles

Topps Tiles co-founder and non-exec chairman Barry Bester will outline the company's performance over the first 14 weeks of the current financial year today. 
12 January 2010

December sales: "Stronger than we dared hope"

This is the verdict of the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor, which showed a rise of 4.2% in UK retail sales throughout December, compared with 2008. 
12 January 2010

Swedish company acquires PPE Group

POS designer and manufacturer PPE Group has been acquired by Swedish company HL Display for an undisclosed sum. 
12 January 2010

B&Q to trial smaller format stores?

According to reports in the national press over the weekend, B&Q is set to test a smaller store format across the UK. 
11 January 2010

Lakeland tests new market with Dubai store

Lakeland is set to make its first foray overseas with a new store in Dubai. 
11 January 2010

Taskers takes initiative with half-price snow shovels

As retailers across the UK struggle to meet customer demand for snow-related products, the Liverpool-based DIY store manages to source 500 snow shovels. 
11 January 2010

John Lewis continues with record-breaking figures

Department store chain exceeds £100m milestone in its first week of clearance. 
8 January 2010
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